Gospel of Mark Six: Part Two

Introduction: A key idea in the Gospel of Mark is that Jesus is the servant of God. In today's Bible study notes, we hope to discuss Jesus prerogative in relation to King Herod and the feeding of the five thousand.

Body:
Read the Gospel of Mark 6:14-29
6. As Affecting Herod, who Killed John the Baptist. King Herod heard about what Jesus was doing, in this first section of the Bible study notes. Herod feared that Jesus was a reincarnation of John the Baptist. Herod had John killed, as a product of a rash vow and an evil wife.

Applications –
- Authoritative truth. Notice in vss. 14-16 that the king and the people can be wrong. The Bible is authoritative truth. The Bible teaches that Jesus is more than all of the prophets put together. There is no reincarnation taught in the Bible.

Let's make sure we study and obey the Bible like we really believe that it is authoritative truth. Using the study questions and tools with a mind to obey God's word, will take you a long way in this area.

- Hardship enduring faith. Notice in the Gospel of Mark 6:16 that doing God's will can be dangerous. The reason daily dedication is so important is because persecution is quite possible for those who do God's will at a high level. Let's work on having the faith to endure the hardships of being used by God.

Prayerful study and obedience with the support of other believers will help us remember that no matter what people do to us, God is still working out a plan that will include our blessings. Sometimes our blessings will come after death.

- Controlling our mouths. Notice in vss. 17, 26 that controlling one's mouth is so important. This is especially the case when God is using you in a place of influence. As a leader, our comments are given more attention and can impact those who follow us. Let's work on controlling our mouths.

Avoiding the sin of getting drunk or intoxicated by any means will help many of us. Watching the company that we keep can help us in this area. It would have been nice if one of the dinner guests would have pulled the king's coat tell.

Surely, the king's being influenced by the grudge holding Herodias and her accessory in the sin daughter should have been viewed with great suspicion. But at the end of the day, it was not the alcohol, Herodias, nor daughter who is to be blamed, it is the king. In like manner, we will be held responsible for what we say and do.

Read the Gospel of Mark 6:30-44
7. In Feeding the Five Thousand Men. The Apostles came to talk with Jesus about how things were going with their ministries. They tried to get away, but the crowd followed. Jesus taught the people and then performed a miraculous feeding of over 5,000 men.

Applications –
- Accountability. Notice in vs. 30 that the disciples/apostles (i.e., those who have been sent) were accountable (i.e., report on how you are coming with what is expected of you and seeking appropriate authority).

In order for the church, community, or even the family to operate efficiently, accountability must be present. The parts of the body cannot simply go off and do what they want to do. All activity must be coordinate in some fashion. Let's work on accountability.

There are too many people who lack the humility, discipline, and energy to be accountable. Consequently, they contribute to unnecessary stress and inefficiency in the church or group that they are in. Don't join this crowd.

- The ministry of relaxation. Notice in the Gospel of Mark 6:31, 33 that there is a need for the people of God to find away to relax. It is sad to see both the lack of health stewardship among Christian workers and the insensitivity of those who track them down, when they are obviously trying to relax.

If we are not careful, we will internalize the problems of others so much that we become emotionally burned out. As difficult as it may be, we must come to the realization that somebody will always have a problem.

We should do our best and leave the rest to God, as we catch our breath. Let's work on the ministry of relaxation. As a church family, let's learn to let, especially, those in leadership rest.

- Being sheep under the shepherd that God supplies. Notice in vs. 34 that Jesus had compassion on and taught those who were like sheep without a shepherd. There are some who are like sheep without a shepherd because the supposed shepherd is no good.

There are others who have too many shepherds and are, consequently, as confused as those who don’t have one. And there are others who will not be like submissive sheep who follow the shepherd supplied by God.

It is dangerous to be like a sheep without a shepherd, because wolves are seeking to destroy such people. Consequently, Jesus is moved with compassion towards those who live in such danger. His compassion leads to teaching.

The more a person learns, the more they can believe and live according to God's will. The more a person believes and obeys, the more pleasing they are to God, and they are eligible for more blessings.

Let's work on being sheep under the shepherd that God has supplied, which should include our helping others get right with God and the shepherd He has supplied them.

Conclusion: Based on this Bible study in the Gospel of Mark, let's work on being servants of God. God has much for those who obey His will.